This month, the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics published their new guidelines:
A guide to the conservative management of pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum
The guidelines aim to support more consistent use of conservative treatment across the UK and provide practical recommendations for:
Triage, assessment, and referral
Multidisciplinary working
Bracing for pectus carinatum
Vacuum bell therapy for pectus excavatum
What treatment looks like
Patient safety, risk, and potential complications
At the heart of the guidance is a need for patients to have timely access to conservative treatment. As we know, pectus conditions can have a profound effect on the physical health and psychological wellbeing of patients. Access to conservative treatment can not only help improve these symptoms, but also reduces the need for patients to have major surgical intervention.
You can download and read the guidelines here: https://www.bapo.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/A-guide-to-the-conservative-management-of-pectus-carinatum-and-pectus-excavatum.pdf